Snuffles, coughs and sneezes

The 'fun jar' has well and truly been pushed aside this week and enter: the dreaded flu.

The type of flu that hits the whole family at once, the type of flu that has children vomiting at midnight and high temperatures that won't go away for days. The type of flu that makes, not just your body ache and your head pound, but your hair hurt.

For days the kids and I have been set up on the lounge. Staying in our pajama's all day long, little bodies lost in piles of pillows and blankets. On the coffee table by our side: the remote control, the phone, panadol, water bottles and a box of tissues. On the floor, more water bottles and a pile of tissues.

Mr Moo had a day off too, in fact I haven't really seen him for days. He has emerged from bed only to go to work or for me to give him chicken soup and spiced ginger tea.



In the mist of it all, I did manage to make a little doll. There really is only so much ABC kids a mother can take (especially when they are sick themselves). The stitching and stuffing was a happy diversion. Although I must say, my foggy brain did make for quiet a bit of unpicking.



So without further ado, please meet Nurse Hilda. A soothing, gentle soul, who brings peace, happiness and big cuddles to little ones when they need it most.

She has worked hard this week.

I hope that the first week of your school holidays (if you are on holidays) has been a better one.

If you want to see some more creative spaces, go over to our creative spaces and be inspired.

Wooden houses - Safranbolu

The photos of the Siberian houses reminded me of the beautiful Ottoman style houses in the heritage listed city of Safranbolu in Turkey.

So I dusted off the cobwebs from a giant photo album at the bottom of the linen cupboard and pulled out these photos to share.



About fifteen years ago my Mum and I backpacked around Turkey for 3 weeks. Such a beautiful country. Safranbolu was a highlight of our trip.



We arrived late at night, about 8:30pm, after a very long bus trip from Ankara. We were the only tourists on the bus, and the only people who spoke English. We stepped out of the bus onto a dark street (no street lights) and into torrential rain. In the glow of a gas lamp we showed our guide book with the name of our accommodation, hoping to get directions. After about 15 minutes, and a lot of conversation between the Turkish men who still remained at the bus stop, a short man in his fifties volunteered to show us the way. He had been at the bus stop, with a couple of other street vendors, selling bread to the people arriving on the bus. He put down his box of bread, where he stood and hoisted both of our large backpacks onto his shoulders. With the wave of an arm, he motioned us to follow him. We did.



He delivered us to our accommodation, Carsi Pansiyon. We showered, changed and went downstairs to ask where we could get a meal. The owner of the pension told us that there was nowhere opened at that time of night. He had a pot of chicken soup bubbling on the stove, his own dinner, we were welcome to have some. It was the best chicken soup I have ever tasted before, or since (apart from my own Nana's, of course) A simple, flavoursome broth, with tender corn fed chicken, finished with, and added just before serving, ripe, diced tomatoes and freshly chopped parsley. Served with our favourite Turkish bread and fresh butter, we were in heaven. The rain continued to beat down outside. In a simple, darkened room, we slurped our soup, as if it was our last meal on earth, overwhelmed by the generosity of our host



We were just finishing our soup when some of the owners friends came over for a visit. With very little English, we were invited once again to stay and were offered some more amazing food. Pide, Turkish pizza with mince meat and egg topping, the first we had eaten in Turkey and definitely one of the best. We also tried quince (eaten raw) and fresh hazelnuts for the first time in our lives.

Yes, the best way to discover a culture is definitely through it's food and hospitality. I could go on about the food in Turkey for hours.

Don't get me started on the rice pudding.

Chicken soup for the soul

I just can’t seem to shake this flu. I am over the sore throat and head cold bit and now am just sooo exhausted. How to make myself feel better?

• I made a large pot of my Nana’s chicken soup. Homemade chicken stock (from the freezer) potatoes, onions, carrot, peas and macaroni. I know it is summer and 30 degress outside, but this is pure comfort food. My cousin’s and I ate this daily whenever we stayed at my Nana’s farm, which was often when we were all children.



• I made my children sit down and watch the “Sound of Music” with me. Well most of it anyway. I always, always watch this movie if I am sick or feeling sad.

• Went to dinner with my cousin and her husband. It was a stretch to get off the couch, but they were visiting from out of town for one night only. We had a lovely evening, a rare night off for all of us (no kids). I miss her dearly, she is like my sister. She is always a wonderful tonic to lift my spirits.

What things make you feel better on a blue day?